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Sinkholes cause headaches for many in Springfield

You probably know that Missouri is lovingly nicknamed "the cave state" for having over 5,700 caves, surpassed only by Tennessee with 7,000. And for the most part, they are found primarily here in the Ozarks, right below our feet.

A sinkhole is a natural depression or hole in the surface of the earth caused by the removal of soil or bedrock, often both, by water. When acidic rain water seeps into the ground, it eats away at the bedrock and the layer of soil above it collapses towards the cavernous earth below.

Residents and prospective builders can find out if a sinkhole has been located on a certain piece of property by going to the Greene County Assessor's Web site. Once you're there, follow these instructions:

Click on the "Property Search" tab and search for property by owner name, address, parcel ID or parcel buffer.

Next, click on Parcel ID.

Then, click on the Map tab under "Record Details".

Under the Map, click on the boxes for aerial photos and sinkholes, then click Refresh.

Any areas of the map outlined in an orange circle indicates a sinkhole has collapsed there.

Get out and explore Ozarks geology by checking out these and other books at your local branch of the Springfield Greene County Library.